10 Tips to save on fuel/gas - Page 2

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-10-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

so if what you say is true, then the rules dont really mean $h!+ ?

Have a good look around at the other threads and see for yourself how many of them stay 100% on topic, and how far many of them stray from the original topic mate. It's just something that happens on forums, like it or not. I agree with LuvinmyEB, lighten up mate, it's only the internet

Oh, and I thought of another fuel saving tip, although it's probably not practical for many of us, but a car with a better coefficient of drag will require less fuel, if all else is equal, due to it "cutting through the air" or "having less wind resistance". Having said that, I doubt many people are going to sell their cars just to get one that has a slipperier coefficient of drag...

31-10-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Have a good look around at the other threads and see for yourself how many of them stay 100% on topic, and how far many of them stray from the original topic mate. It's just something that happens on forums, like it or not. I agree with LuvinmyEB, lighten up mate, it's only the internet

yes, it is the internet. if this forum doesnt care too much about the off topic sort of thing then thats good. i got banned from another car forums for going off-topic. i had bad experiences with that. but if this forum is ok with that then so be it.

SSBUB · 31-10-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Have a good look around at the other threads and see for yourself how many of them stay 100% on topic, and how far many of them stray from the original topic mate. It's just something that happens on forums, like it or not. I agree with LuvinmyEB, lighten up mate, it's only the internet

Oh, and I thought of another fuel saving tip, although it's probably not practical for many of us, but a car with a better coefficient of drag will require less fuel, if all else is equal, due to it "cutting through the air" or "having less wind resistance". Having said that, I doubt many people are going to sell their cars just to get one that has a slipperier coefficient of drag...

I have heard spoilers can create a bit of drag like that

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-10-2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSBUB

I have heard spoilers can create a bit of drag like that

Indeed they can, good point, particularly if they provide enough downforce to actually do anything below about 150km/h, because that's how it works, the downforce is created by aerodynamic drag pushing the car down towards the road.

I know from experience that above 110km/h (not saying how far above, public forum, don't want people to try it for themselves and blame me) the rear spoiler on a Mk II Escort starts taking effect and you can feel the rear of the car become a lot more stable.

So yes, while it may not make much difference at legal speeds, the removal of spoilers may make some slight difference to fuel econ.

MrSparkle · 31-10-2005, 07:06 PM

{Warning - shameless plug ahead}

14. Purchase my ZH Fairlane on straight LPG, which returns similiar economy ($/km) to a small hatchback.

31-10-2005, 07:45 PM

fairlane? doesnt that use alot of gas or fuel? no matter how much you can save, you're still using more then others?

Steffo · 31-10-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

fairlane? doesnt that use alot of gas or fuel? no matter how much you can save, you're still using more then others?

Right, but he said $/km. Gas is 50 cents a litre, petrol is $1.20. You'll spend less on fuel to run an old V8 in LPG then you will to run a petrol 2.0 four-banger.

31-10-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Right, but he said $/km. Gas is 50 cents a litre, petrol is $1.20. You'll spend less on fuel to run an old V8 in LPG then you will to run a petrol 2.0 four-banger.

ahh right. where do you live? just wandering because i havent seen fuel that cheap at $1.20 for a while.

xxxc · 31-10-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

ahh right. where do you live? just wandering because i havent seen fuel that cheap at $1.20 for a while.

was a $1.18 yesterday in bentleigh/morabbin

XAGSV8 · 31-10-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

11. Don't have any fun while driving

LOL, you hit the nail on the head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSgerry

12. Buy a Mini

One step ahead, last time I filled it up (about 6 months ago) it cost $13.

chief · 31-10-2005, 08:49 PM

Phat wagon, did you get those first 10 points in your first thread from the NRMA booklet that was sent out. I received the same pointers and some other useless stuff yesterday.

31-10-2005, 09:39 PM

no cheif i didnt. if you wouldve read my post on where i got it from on page 1 then you wouldnt ask that quesiton. i got it from last thursdays herald sun page 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUMPT

was a $1.18 yesterday in bentleigh/morabbin

lucky. its 132.9 here :(

mcflux · 31-10-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoo

If your real anal about it shifting an auto into N at the lights helps too.

Sometimes it doesn't help... Tonight I pulled up behind a friend at the lights, put the handbrake on and put it in N so I could jump out and say "hi!" really quickly (it's a country town... minimal traffic so I wouldn't have held anyone up)

Anyhoo I was about to get out when I noticed a cop car 500m behind me with its lights flashing. The cop car pulled into my lane but turned his lights off before stopping behind me. I decided not to get out.

The lights turn green, and I release my handbrake as my friend takes off in front of me. VROOOOM! *whoops* I forgot I was in neutral!!!

Mr Plod followed me for about 2km before turning off after that... I nearly had kittens!

I tend to stick with D/1 when at the lights ;)

-Dave-

Steffo · 31-10-2005, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

ahh right. where do you live? just wandering because i havent seen fuel that cheap at $1.20 for a while.

117.9 here (Outer West, Sydney). I payed 124.1 cpl with Woolies discount (124.5 without it) for Vortex 98 premium. LPG was 49.9 cpl.

01-11-2005, 11:28 AM

far out, the cheapest ive seen in a while is 127.9 and the gas(i dont use it) 54.9. had to refuel last night and it was 135.9 (without woolies discount). but i suppose its fair. because here is in the coutry victoria and it takes more fuel to get the fuel here.

hell, i just need to withstand this $h!++y little town till the end of the year and im off to melbourne. hopefully its cheaper there.

fiery · 01-11-2005, 01:13 PM

the best fuel saving tip of all time though has to be:
Jump into someone else's car (after they have put their fuel in)

:

:monkes:

01-11-2005, 03:57 PM

haha, but im not just saying saving fuel for yourself but for everyone.

but its a good idea mate, if you're thinking of yourself

fiery · 01-11-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

haha, but im not just saying saving fuel for yourself but for everyone.

but its a good idea mate, if you're thinking of yourself

I guess it is a bit on the selfish side

:
yeah I know what the whole saving fuel idea was about, thought I might try some light hearted comic relief (but alas, it came across a bit..well.....mmm)

I have to admit I had no idea about that little 'economy' button and what it was all about till the weekend

:

Blue Ice · 01-11-2005, 05:13 PM

Hey all, just wondering if there is any proof that running a higher octane fuel such as BP Ultimate would have any impact on enconomy. c",)

vztrt · 01-11-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Ice

Hey all, just wondering if there is any proof that running a higher octane fuel such as BP Ultimate would have any impact on enconomy. c",)

It will but not in the city driving. On the highway it makes a difference.

Steffo · 01-11-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Ice

Hey all, just wondering if there is any proof that running a higher octane fuel such as BP Ultimate would have any impact on enconomy. c",)

If your engine is not tuned for it, it won't do anything. In alot of cases, if your engine is tuned for 91 RON ULP, the car might become thirstier.

02-11-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

If your engine is not tuned for it, it won't do anything. In alot of cases, if your engine is tuned for 91 RON ULP, the car might become thirstier.

thirstier? what do you mean by that? as in dry or uses more petrol?

bscampbell · 02-11-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

4. Avoid lengthy idling
Turn off your engine when stopped for an extended period and not in traffic. by having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine.

I disagree with this, especially if you mean in traffic.
If you watch the live fuel consumption, when idling it is only 1.3L/h in a BA, so you will save a whopping $1.50 per hour of idling...worth it...I think not!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

8. Use the air conditioner sparingly

Bugger that, if I'm hot, I'm using the A/C!
It is a little frustrating at times though when you press the windscreen demist button in a BA because the A/C comes on automatically...you wonder why its getting so bloody cold! They have done this because A/C is obviously much better at demisting than normal air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drphil

doesnt higher speed save fuel over distance travelled. maximum economy is at 80-110 so driving at 60 will use more fuel over distance travelled.

NOPE!!!
If you travelled at, for eg. 100km at 60km/h with a fuel consumption of 8L/100km, then at 120km/h with a fuel consumption of 12L/100km, you will obviously arrive at your destination in half the time at 120km/h, but you will have used 4 more litres of fuel!

I have noticed in my BA Futura wagon that going from 100 to 110 km/h it uses about 1L/100km more fuel.

Steffo · 02-11-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

thirstier? what do you mean by that? as in dry or uses more petrol?

Uses more petrol. Higher octane fuels are more difficult to burn, that's why cars with boost or higher compression ratio's need to run them, to avoid detonation. If your car is low comp n/a, and/or not tuned to run premium, there is no advantage, you're giving it a fuel it doesn't need, which is more difficult to burn then the one it is tuned for. Often this can result in increased fuel consumption and slight power loss, depending on the vehicle and its engine management system.

XAGSV8 · 02-11-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bscampbell

NOPE!!!
If you travelled at, for eg. 100km at 60km/h with a fuel consumption of 8L/100km, then at 120km/h with a fuel consumption of 12L/100km, you will obviously arrive at your destination in half the time at 120km/h, but you will have used 4 more litres of fuel!

Ok you arrive in half the time doing 120km/h and use 12L but double the 60km/h at 8L and you get 16L/100km for the same trip. So going by your calculations at 120km/h you will use 4 litres less.

Edit: Read your post the wrong way so my mistake.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 02-11-2005, 08:35 PM

I think fuel econ vs speed would depend on a few factors, for example diff ratio, gear ratio, torque converter lockup revs (if it's an auto), amount of fuel being used to maintain that speed (maintaining a speed uses a whole lot less then increasing speed, although obviously it will require more fuel to keep an engine turning over at 5000rpm compared to turning over at 2500rpm), how much torque the engine makes at what revs (indicating how easy it is for the engine to maintain that speed) etc etc etc. I think its a little simple to say one particular speed would be the best for fuel econ when there are so many variables involved - some cars might get the best econ at 80km/h, others at 100km/h.

Of course, I might be a little off on some of the details, but that's my understanding of the issues involved with working out what speed will give the best econ.

XHII V8S · 02-11-2005, 08:43 PM

Here is my two cents worth,

If anyone has an EFI car, turn the a/c off at idle wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and watch your tacho. You will see the the rpm drops momentarily then picks back up again, its called idle step up i think. I only know this because my old car had problems with running a/c, p/s, auto plus running my sub cos it didn't have an idle up solenoid, you had to adjust it manually.

As for my experiences with high octane fuel - a recent report on fuels showed the the best value for money fuel is 95 octane which is more commonly known as Premium at most places. It only costs 3-4 cents more but I get an extra 50km out of my tank. 68l tank x 5 cents (approx) $3.40. If you really want to do the rest of the math it all works out in the end, but from my experience, 98 octane is 5hit fuel...

HLC · 02-11-2005, 08:48 PM

in short: Dont drive like a ********.

03-11-2005, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

in short: Dont drive like a ********.

lmao, yeah something like that. but you can still be a ******** with the air con on. its just that you cant have any dangerous or law-breaking fun, while driving. driving can still have fun without the dangerous and/or law-breaking acts.

HLC · 03-11-2005, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatwagon

lmao, yeah something like that. but you can still be a ******** with the air con on. its just that you cant have any dangerous or law-breaking fun, while driving. driving can still have fun without the dangerous and/or law-breaking acts.

yeah its not how fast the car is but haw fast it gets to the speed limit

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